British, but not scientists, but journalists from the Guardian newspaper compiled their rating of the best hostels in Europe. Along with Venice, Paris, Berlin and other addresses, St. Petersburg also fell into the category of “Luxury hostels” (“luxury hostels”, which in Russian sounds almost like an oxymoron).
Youth Soul Kitchen Hostellocated in St. Petersburg, on the embankment of the Moika River, in a former communal apartment in the Lipin apartment building, built in 1863. The owners of Soul Kitchen decided to correct the main drawback of hostels and took maximum care of the personal space of guests: the emphasis is on private rooms with aspirations for designer interiors: from a suite with a boat bed and a fireplace to an ascetic room with a bed and a nightstand. The common rooms feature custom curtained bunk beds, each with its own shelf, lamp and power outlet. Available for accommodation are: an 8-bed dormitory room and an 8-bed women’s room, as well as four 4-bed rooms. You can gather with a group on the large balcony overlooking the Moika River. Important bonuses: Apple computers for general use and rental of film cameras.
From the rooftop terrace of the Parisian Les Piaules, located in an Art Nouveau building, offers a stunning view of Montmartre. The Belleville area, where the hostel is located, is famous among nightlife lovers for its bars and clubs. However, you can lead an almost bohemian lifestyle without leaving the hostel: there is a restaurant and a bar where parties are periodically held (from 3 euros per glass of wine, please),
and also a library and a photo booth (hello to fans of the film “Amelie” by Jean-Pierre Jeunet). Guests can choose from a double room with a private bathroom and a 4-bed, 6-bed and 8-bed shared room. In the common rooms the beds are also double-decker and have curtains. And also rooms on the roof: 4-bed shared and separate 2-bed.
From the hostel GeneratorThe main attractions of Venice are within easy reach – just one stop from Piazza San Marco or the Rialto Bridge. Although the hostel is located in a former grain warehouse, its interior can truly be called chic: mosaic floors, a crystal chandelier in the foyer, Murano glass candelabra, velvet upholstery in heavy armchairs placed in front of the fireplace, a lot of “antique” wood “(or maybe really old): from beams to furniture and bar counter (cocktails from 6 euros). You can stay in a double suite in the attic or in one of the common rooms for 4, 8 or 16 people.
To get to the hostel ClinkNoord, for example, from Amsterdam Central Station, you need to cross to the opposite bank of the IJ River by ferry (runs 24 hours a day). The former technical laboratory building, built in the early 20th century, has been converted into a hotel with the typical Dutch sense of style and practicality. The hostel itself is huge – with 730 rooms. There are both private rooms for one, two or four travelers, as well as shared rooms with bunk beds for 8-16 guests. It is noteworthy that in this hostel you can stay in a women’s shared room. It is not surprising that the public spaces of the hostel are large-scale: the restaurant is the size of a large student canteen, in the courtyard you can even ride a bicycle if you wish, and the area of the reading room can be the envy of the district library. And what kind of parties there are here – wow!
Few hostels can boast of their own museum, but not the Berlin one Circus Hostel. There is an exhibition dedicated to the American actor and musician David Hasselhoff, known among fans as Hoff, star of the series “Knight Rider” and “Baywatch”. However, most guests are attracted here not by the museum, but by its own brewery. In addition, the hotel owners organize walking excursions and photo tours for guests, and you can rent bicycles and tablets. Beer yoga classes are also here: beer bottles are used as weights (like dumbbells) or gymnastic equipment (like a ball) to complicate the exercises. You can stay in both private rooms and shared rooms. Circus Hostel is located in the interesting district of Mitte – around shops of local designers, large and tiny galleries, vintage second-hand shops, antique shops and bars, bars, bars.
Every evening on the roof terrace LaBanda RoofTopin Spanish Seville, guests gather: they have dinner together, drink wine, exchange impressions, listen to music, and admire the good view of the local cathedral from here. The hostel is cozy, affordable, with a large kitchen (for those who like to cook or want to save on food in restaurants and cafes). The hostel rooms are furnished with handmade wooden furniture, but there are no private rooms, only dormitory rooms for 4, 6 or 8 guests.
Prague Sir Toby’slocated not in the old town, but in the area bordering it and next to the local Center for Contemporary Art. The interior of the hostel itself successfully combines modern minimalism and a play on retro: white walls and wooden parquet and window frames, furniture from the mid-twentieth century and modern lighting. Good reviews for the pub in the hostel’s basement and the beautiful garden in the backyard where barbecues take place in the summer. Guests have access to both private rooms and shared rooms, including women’s rooms.
Rated Tattva Design Hostel — The largest hostel in Porto. It occupies two historical buildings with an impeccable modern interior, which can simultaneously accommodate 116 people – both in suites and in common rooms. It is especially noted that some of the rooms and all public spaces are made taking into account the needs of people with disabilities. In addition, Tattva Design Hostel has its own restaurant (breakfast is included in the price) and a bar on the terrace, where barbecue parties are held in the summer. Well, the location of the hostel is beyond praise – in the center of Porto, within walking distance from most of the city’s attractions.
In order for the building of a former prison in Ljubljana, built at the end of the 19th century, to turn into a modern and attractive hostel for guests, it took the efforts of an international team of 80 artists and designers. Therefore, at Celica HostelThere are no identical rooms, common rooms or cells. Yes, you can also stay in former cells, although the only thing that reminds you of their prison past are the entrance doors with metal bars and small windows (the bars have been removed from the windows). Everything else – layout, furniture, lighting – claims to be works of design art. It is noteworthy that in the process of remaking each of the 20 cameras, the artists had to meet a budget of 2,600 euros. On the hostel’s website you can see the camera rooms in detail – rest assured, you will find many excellent design solutions for small apartments.
A few years ago The Yellow was named the best hostel in Rome. What is there: a pub, a club and a terrace, a mini-cinema with a projector and even yoga classes. It would seem that there is much more, but the owners are planning to open a hairdresser here as well. The furnishings of the rooms and common rooms cannot be called outstanding, but everything you need is there. It is noteworthy that persons under 16 years of age are not allowed to stay at the hostel. 16-17 year olds can only live in the company of adult friends and with written permission from their parents. And guests over 45 years old will be offered only private rooms.
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Author: Elena Novikova-Kitaeva
